Chemical Energy: Energy stored in the bonds between atoms in molecules. For
example, a leaf uses sunlight to bind carbon dioxide and water molecules into a
sugar molecule. It stores the solar energy in the chemical bonds of that sugar
molecule.
Electrical Energy: Energy produced when electrons flow through materials or jump
from one place to another. A lamp’s heat and light come from electrical energy. So
does a bolt of lightning in the sky.
Heat Energy: Scientists define heat energy as the average kinetic energy of all the
particles in a substance. A glass of warm water has more heat energy than an equal
sized glass of cold water. Why? Because the molecules of the warm water are, on
average, moving faster than the molecules of the cold water.
Mechanical Energy: This type of energy is made up of two types of energy. One
type is kinetic energy, or energy of motion. The other type is gravitational potential
energy, or the energy that an object gets by being raised above the Earth’s surface.
Nuclear Energy: Energy associated with the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear energy is
released when the nucleus of an atom splits or when the nuclei of two atoms fuse.
Sound Energy: Sound energy is a vibration that moves through solids, liquids, and
gases. Sound travels most quickly through a solid and most slowly through a gas.
Unlike solar energy, sound energy needs a medium (some kind of matter through
which to travel).
Solar Energy: Solar energy comes from the sun. It includes visible light and
infrared energy. Solar energy is an electromagnetic wave, so it can travel through a
vacuum. Absolutely no matter is in a vacuum.